Springfield Falcons at Worcester Sharks
DCU Center
February 24, 2013
Meeting 4 of 8 vs. the Falcons
Sharks are 2-1-0-0 vs. the Falcons this season
By Matt Metcalf

Stalock ties Shark’s all-time wins mark in win
Matt Pelech and Marek Viedensky each scored their first goals of the season

Worcester, MA– The Worcester Sharks (25-21-1-5, 56pts) defeated the conference rival Springfield Falcons (30-14-4-3, 67pts) by a score of 5-1 on Sunday afternoon in front of 4,034 fans at the DCU Center. The Sharks capped off their 3-in-3 weekend with four out of a possible six points.

In the win, Alex Stalock made 37 saves and tied the Sharks all-time wins mark, previously held by Thomas Greiss with 74. Matt Pelech (1st) and Marek Viedensky (1st) each added their first goal of the season in the win. Sebastian Stalberg (7th), Danny Groulx (4th), and James Livingston (4th) also added goals for the Sharks. Michael Chaput (9th) scored the Falcon’s lone goal around the midway point of the second period to make it a 2-1 game at the time. Heading into the third period leading 2-1, the Sharks were able to put Springfield away with three third period goals.

The Sharks didn’t waste any time continuing their offensive success from the night before. Worcester jumped out to an early lead at the 4:21 mark, when James Livingston came down the right wing on a two-on-one and roofed one over the shoulder of Curtis McElhinney, giving the Sharks a 1-0 lead. The Sharks increased their lead less than a minute later, when tough-guy Matt Pelech (1st) tucked the puck past McElhinney from low in the attacking zone for his first goal in his 40th game played this season, making it a 2-0 game. Although being outshot 11-4 in the period, the Sharks were able to build a two-goal lead.

Just after the midway point of the second period, Springfield was able to cut into their deficit. Off of an offensive zone faceoff, Springfield won the draw back to Michael Chaput (9th), who fired a missile through a screen that beat Alex Stalock, cutting the Worcester lead to 2-1. Springfield continued to dominate in shots, outshooting the Sharks 14-7 in the second period, for a total of 25-11 through the first two periods.

Worcester increased their lead to two once again just over three minutes into the third period. After Curtis McElhinney had a bad giveaway, Sebastian Stalberg (7th) collected the puck on the right wing boards, and released a quick wrist shot that beat McElhinney, who was scrambling to get back into position. The Sharks added some insurance at 11:13 of the third period, when James Livingston made a great feed to Marek Viedensky (1st), who collected the puck and roofed it over McElhinney, giving Worcester a 4-1 lead. Worcester wasn’t finished there. Danny Groulx (4th) converted a power play chance for the Sharks late in the game, when he unleashed a bomb from the point that beat McElhinney, making it a 5-1 final.

The Sharks overall record improves to 25-21-1-5 (56pts in 52gp) and 10-10-1-3 (24pts in 24gp) at home this season.

Notes: FIVE GUYS BURGERS Three Stars: 3rd star: James Livingston (1-1-2) 2nd star: Matt Pelech (1-0-1, GWG) 1st star: Alex Stalock (win, 37 saves)… Final shots were 38-20 in favor of Springfield…Curtis McElhinney made 15 saves on 20 shots for Springfield… Alex Stalock made 37 saves on 38 shots for Worcester…. Worcester went 1-for-3 on the power play while Springfield went 0-for-5…Sena Acolatse (inj), Yanni Gourde (scr), Mike Brennan (inj), Nick Petrecki (scr), Curt Gogol (scr) and Tommy Grant (scr) did not dress for Worcester…The Sharks are now 37-18-3 all-time in 58 meetings vs. Springfield…Alex Stalock got his 15th win of the season and his 74th career Sharks win, tying the all-time mark held by Thomas Greiss with 74…Matt Pelech and Marek Viedensky each scored their first goal of the season in the win.

Coming up…
The Sharks head on the road for a 3-in-3 weekend beginning with a 7:05ps start in Providence on Friday night.

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